When considering Free Markets and Private Property Rights we will consider questions such as:

• Does this restrict or enhance the ability of individuals to enter into contracts or freely associate with one another?
• Does the bill protect an individual’s property from theft, loss, or confiscation?
• Does this restrict Missouri citizens’ right to use their property or reduce its value?
• Does this replace voluntary market transactions with government coercion?
• Does this increase or decrease regulation of or interfere with market transactions?
• Does the bill grant or eliminate special privileges through monopoly or coercion?
• Does the bill allow government to compete with private business or allow private business to compete with government?
• Does the bill protect or harm an individual’s ability to make a living?
• Does this provide, increase, or decrease subsidies for private companies or individuals?
• In what ways does this enable or impair transactions in a friendly environment?

When considering Individual Liberty and Personal Responsibility we will consider questions such as:

• Is the proposed legislation the least restrictive way to address the problem while protecting individual liberty?
• Does this result in any socialized costs/benefits? Any harmful unintended consequences? If so, what are they?
• Could existing law already deal with the problem?
• Is government decision making, control, and enforcement placed at the lowest level that reasonably balances local input with preservation of liberty?
• Do those who voluntarily use the service pay for it?
• Does the bill promote or harm self-responsibility and self-sufficiency?
• Does the bill create a protected class or provide the equal protection to all?
• Does the bill protect parental rights relating to responsibility for their children?
• If a behavior is banned or discouraged, is there clear and convincing evidence that there is an essential state purpose.

When considering Limited Government we will consider such questions as:

• Does this address a legitimate role of government within the framework of Missouri or U.S. Constitution?
• Does this create or eliminate an entitlement (in theory or practice)?
• How does this impact governmental transparency?
• Are public funds truly needed to address this issue, or can the private sector address the need, perhaps if restrictions on property rights or free enterprise were lifted?
• Does this increase or decrease revenue to or spending by the government?
• Will the proposal increase or decrease public debt?
• Is the taxing structure visible, broad-based, and low?
• Does this create dedicated revenue accounts in government that restrict the use of funds?
• Does the bill promote or undermine constitutional rights guaranteed by the U.S. or the Missouri Constitutions?
• What decision is being made, who gets to make the decision and who bears the consequences of the decision?

Return to Floor Reports